From Our Correspondent
Two illegal miners have died after the well they dug for mining activity collapsed on them at Buya community in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The state Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Effiom-Ekaha Otu, confirmed the incident on Wednesday.
Otu added that three other persons sustained injuries, describing the incident as unfortunate and avoidable.
He advised the youths against unwarranted dangerous ventures capable of threatening their lives.
The commissioner promised to launch a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the victims’ deaths. He added that the investigation will also look into the legality of the mining activity in the area.
A source, who pleaded anonymity, said the deceased died of suffocation under the rubbles.
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The source said some illegal miners had thronged the community to mine a tourmaline mineral.
He said miners engaged the youths for four months and paid them as much as N600,000 to dig up the mineral.
Another eyewitness, Emmanuel Ashanga, narrated how they (illegal miners) were relaxing under a tree shed when they heard a sound typical of an earthquake.
“We ran towards the scene and saw some women crying for help and shouting that some people had been trapped in the well.
“The women said they just saw the well collapse on the diggers. We called some other youths and we rescued three persons. Two were already dead inside,” Ashanga said.
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